Good Reads: St Osmund’s C of E Middle School, Dorchester

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BfK No. 176 - May 2009

Cover Story

This issue’s cover illustration by Nick Price is from Pongwiffy, Back on Track by Kaye Umansky. Kaye Umansky is interviewed by Julia Eccleshare. Thanks to Bloomsbury for their help with this May cover.

‘Three children walked away from the cottages on the edge of the town towards Berwick Waters. Later that day only two of them came back…’

What would you do if you had to live your life knowing you took someone else’s away? What if the person’s life you took was your best friend’s?

The traumatic nails of guilt that have been pinning down Alice Tully, aka Jennifer Jones, since she was 10 finally start to ease as she lives her new life. However when she is about to let go of the haunting memories of her past, the media raise them to the surface again.

Anne Cassidy’s flawless description constructs vivid images of memorable characters in the reader’s mind as her captivating plot unfolds. A thought provoking emotive story of triumph over adversity.

Jessica Hallet, Year 7

Eclipse

Stephenie Meyer, Atom, 978 1 904233 91 6, £6.99 pbk

Eclipse is the 3rd book in the ‘Twilight’ saga, following Twilight (also an amazing film) and New Moon. Bella and Edward are back together, after their confusions and break-ups, but can everything go smoothly? With Victoria still lurking and Jacob confessing to his feelings for her, life could not be more hectic for Bella, who has also to make the biggest decision ever: life or death? And to add to her problems she’s got Edward pleading for her to marry him, but is this what she really wants?

Read this outstanding book to find out what Edward and Bella have to deal with next and if their relationship survives any longer. I recommend Eclipse for ages 11+ and lovers of a good romance. However, this fantastic tale has sparks of the supernatural and horror in it, so don’t go thinking this is just ‘chick lit’. Enjoy!

Olivia Kellers, Year 7

4.50 from Paddington

Agatha Christie, HarperCollins, 978 0 00 712082 6, £6.99 pbk

This is one of the books in the ‘Miss Marple’ series. It tells the story of Mrs Elspeth McGillicuddy, who, after Christmas shopping takes the 4.50 from Paddington home. She falls asleep, but when she wakes, another train has drawn level with the one she’s in. In the opposite carriage, a man is strangling a woman. Although no-one believes Elspeth, she tells her friend Miss Marple, who starts to investigate, with the help of Lucy Eyelesbarrow. They need to find the body and culprit – before he strikes again.

I enjoyed this book because it has a strong plot that’s easy to understand. Also the author describes everything so vividly; it helps you get stuck into the book and makes it believable although the ending is unexpected.

I would recommend this book if you love a mystery – it will not disappoint.

Jasmine Cottrell, Year 8

The Book Thief

Markus Zusak, Definitions, 978 1 86230 291 4, £7.99 pbk

The Book Thief is an exciting story set in Munich, Germany, during World War 2. Interestingly, it is narrated by Death: ‘Here is a small fact. You are going to die.’ Liesel Meminger is a young girl whose life changes forever when she picks up ‘The Grave Diggers Handbook’ hidden in the snow by her brother’s grave. There begins her life-long love of books; she will do anything to obtain more precious books.

I enjoyed this book because it skilfully combines the emotions Death should feel and what he actually experiences. I feel the character of Liesel is enhanced by the different traits according to her surroundings. Zusak brilliantly combines the idea of doing what is right for your country with what Liesel feels.

This wonderful story about deciding what you want and what you need, will not disappoint you.